The Literary Syllabus of The Secret History
If you’ve read The Secret History by Donna Tartt, you’ve probably experienced that distinct urge to drop everything, don a vintage sweater, and enroll in an obscure liberal arts college where people argue about Plato at 3 a.m. (with varying levels of sobriety). But while the novel is dripping with murder, betrayal, and unhinged intellectualism, it’s also full of tantalizing literary references. Let’s dive into the books name-dropped by these pseudo-scholarly disasters—with a pinch of snark and a lot of heart. 📚
1. The Bacchae by Euripides
Ah, the OG Greek tragedy where everyone learns the hard way not to mess with Dionysus, the god of wine and chaos. Richard and his morally dubious friends are basically living out their own version of this play, minus the toga… plus a lot more murder. If you read it, prepare for gods who don’t believe in second chances and a vibe that’s part epic poetry, part soap opera. 🍇
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
We see you, Richard Papen, channeling your inner Jay Gatsby. Both Richard and Gatsby are outsiders trying desperately to fit into a glittering, exclusive world. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for either of them. So, next time you’re tempted to idealize a wealthy friend group, maybe reread this and remind yourself—money can’t buy you happiness (or survival). 💸
3. The Iliad by Homer
The ultimate epic where rage and drama rule the day. (The Secret History crew’s brand? On point.) Julian’s elitist Greek class probably made Richard read this and discuss Achilles’s sulking habits over coffee… or whatever vintage beverage these people were sipping. If you want to tackle this classic, just remember: everyone’s either mad, dead, or about to be. ⚔️
4. Inferno by Dante
What better book to name-drop when your own story feels like a slow descent into hell? Julian probably fancied himself a Virgil, guiding his students through the “dark woods” of academia. Instead, he’s more like that friend who suggests a “fun group activity” and suddenly you’re all plotting a murder. Fun times. 🔥
5. Aeneid by Virgil
This one’s less “Let’s party with Dionysus” and more “Let’s found an empire.” Virgil’s epic is the backbone of Western literature, so of course, it’s in the mix. Think of it as a roadmap for how to survive disaster, except nobody in The Secret History actually read the fine print. Whoops. 🏛️
6. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Because nothing screams "light reading" like a deep dive into guilt, morality, and the psychological torment of murderers. (Sound familiar?) If Richard ever read this, he probably skimmed it and thought, “Huh, neat,” while ignoring the 500 glaring parallels to his own life. 🚨
7. Metamorphoses by Ovid
Transformations galore! From gods to mortals and everything in between, this epic poem is a feast of mythological drama. It’s the perfect backdrop for The Secret History’s characters, who are all pretending to be something they’re not. Just beware of the constant metaphorical (and literal) shapeshifting. 🦋
8. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
A hefty novel about passion, betrayal, and tragic consequences? Yep, it’s very on-brand. If Henry ever cracked this one open, he probably underlined all the parts about power dynamics and skipped over the emotional introspection—classic Henry. 🚂
9. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Not explicitly mentioned, but let’s face it—this book’s chaotic energy fits the gang’s aesthetic perfectly. Toxic relationships? Check. Gothic vibes? Check. Everybody spiraling into madness because they’re way too dramatic? Big check. Heathcliff and Catherine would fit right in. 🌫️
Conclusion
So, there you have it—a literary syllabus courtesy of the most dysfunctional friend group ever. Whether you’re looking to relive The Secret History vibes or just want to impress your local dark academia book club, these reads have you covered. Just remember: no matter how inspired you feel, maybe don’t reenact anything. Seriously. We don’t need more Bacchic rituals gone wrong. 🙃
